Rogue trader who conned the elderly jailed

Following a joint investigation by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards and NTS Regional Investigation Team two men are facing prison after defrauding elderly victims out of £108,000.

John Carroll aged 26 of Cricklade, Wiltshire was sentenced to 38 months in prison at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday 23 May. His accomplice John Rice, 21 from Swansea, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was jailed for 12 weeks.

Carroll carried out substandard and overpriced work, he would often give clients an initial quote which would escalate due to ‘extra’ problems he encountered when carrying out the work.

Rice had no dealings with the victims and was not involved in the building work but was responsible for laundering £28,950 of Carroll’s money through his accounts.

The Judge ordered an investigation to determine if either of the defendants held assets that could be seized and then used to compensate his victims.